Day of Remembrance....



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Pg.59 Book Club would like to say THANK YOU,

 to the men and women who gave their lives to serve and protect our country. 

We salute you!

Talk of the Town Tuesday "Share your Suggestions!!"

Do you have a book that you would love for us to check out? 

We would love to see your suggestions for Talk of the Town Tuesday!! Please send your suggestions to:

pg.59bookclub@gmail.com

Thanks!

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Motivational Monday "Habits"



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We all have them.  Good and bad habits.  They both are apart of who we are and sometimes they help us and other times they limit our growth and progress.  I encourage you (us) to feed the good habits however, those bad ones–starve them to death! Whether it is bad spending, bad eating, or holding grudges, if you are willing to be uncomfortable to allow change to occur, then you can break bad habits. Getting past the initial pain of change will be hard however, you will enjoy the fruit that you yield from it (better credit, healthy weight loss, and/or better relationships).  Let us encourage each other to break those unpleasant bad habits while embracing the good ones.  Have a blessed day and wonderful week!!

Tasha

Talk of the Town Tuesday: "Transparent" by Don Lemon

 

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 yartedo.com



Recently, CNN Newsroom anchor Don Lemon decided to reveal one of the most intimate details of his life in an interview with MSNBC–he's gay.  Lemon also shares the reasons for "coming out" and why he has decided to do so now at this point in his life.  In his new book, Transparent, he discusses his career as a journalist but also shares with his readers things of a more personal nature, such as growing up without his father and being sexually abused as a child.  However, Lemon explains how he used those very experiences to become the successful  and fearless person you see today. 

Well, alrighty then...  I have always enjoyed watching Don Lemon on CNN.  His book will be available next month for purchase.  Hmmm, is it just me or is it rather timely that he discloses his sexual preference and his book release at the same time?  Not trying to start no trouble, just an observation...  Enjoy!



Motivational Monday "Become a Better You"

Good morning!

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'Tis Monday morning again and the work week has officially started for us M-F/ 9-5 people.  And I would like to encourage you today to "become a better you".  Change does not come easy for many of us (especially the longer you live). And often times we resist it instead of embracing it (I'm referring to positive change).  Yes, you will be walking into new unknown territory, but don't allow fear to deter you.  Stay confident that the change that you are experiencing will make the "old you" better.  Let us encourage each other and step into the unknown together and become better moms, dads, parents, daughters, sons, friends, lovers (you get the point) and  become the better people that we know that we possess inside. 

Have a wonder-FILLED day and blessed week!

Tasha



Thursday Tales of Book Reading: "Has a book ever made you cry"?

Dear Pg.59,

I just finished the most amazing book!  It took me on an emotional roller coaster, which brings me to my question:  Has a book you or your members read made you cry?  Thanks for your time!

Reading Cry Baby

Dear Reading Cry Baby,

YES!!  I cannot tell you how many books that I have personally read that have brought me to many tears.  I usually enjoy those the most!  There has also been a few chosen by our members (this year) that were also tear jerkers as well such as, The Help and The Shack.  I believe that if emotion (joy, sadness, anger, etc) can be evoked within the reader then the author has successfully connected with them. Looks like you enjoyed the book!  Thanks for writing to us and we hope that you enjoy many books to come.

Tasha

Co-Founder

May New Releases

Here are a few May releases provided to us by Apooo Book Club for adult reading:

Couples’ Therapy by Michelle Larks

If Sons, Then Heirs by Lorene Cary

In This Light by Melanie Rae Thon

Just Wanna Testify by Pearl Cleage

Mama Ruby by Mary Monroe

Mistress No More by Niobia Bryant

My Son’s Next Wife by Sheila Lipsey

Next Phase of Life by Charmaine R. Parker

Oil on Water by Helion Habila

Silver Girl by Tayari Jones

The Story of the Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christie Watson

You Are Free Stories by Danzy Senna

If you would like more May releases, click here for Oprah's suggestions!

If you plan to put any of these on your reading list??  Let us know below. Thanks!

Follow Friday #8/Book Blog Hop #6

It's Friday yall! And that means it is time to get out and find new friends to follow! So, head on over to Parajunkee's View to join in on the Follow Friday fun!
Congrats to this week's feature: Magnet 4 Books' Reviews!  Her site is tooo cute :)

Ok, now for the question:
What character in a book would you most like to be, what character in a book would you most like to date?
Wow, this is a hard one.... Hmmm, I think I would like to be Mack in "The Shack" by William Young. Ok, I know we just read this book last month, but like I said in my review, the book has had a impact on me.  To be able to have a conversation with God, simply not imaginable. 
Hmmm, who would I like to date from a book??  I think I would have to say Cy from "Sex in the Sanctuary" by Lutishia Lovely. No words there either!! *smile*
Now, what are your choices? Please leave your comments below. We love them!

Ok, now blog hop on over to Crazy for Books for more following fun!!

Book Blog Question:

Which Book Blogger would you most like to meet in real life?

Hmmm, I'm going to give the political correct answer and say: ALL the ones that I follow and follow me! Thanks for the love! We should have a huge blogger meet and greet! :)

Who would you like to meet?  We love comments!

TASHA

May Book Selection

For our May book club choice, we will be reading 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper!

 Title:  90 Minutes In Heaven

Author: Don Piper

Pages:  208

Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2004)

 ISBN:9780800759490

Brief Synopsis (via Amazon.com):

As he is driving home from a minister's conference, Baptist minister Don Piper collides with a semi-truck that crosses into his lane. He is pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, Piper experiences heaven where he is greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually. He hears beautiful music and feels true peace.

Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference is led to pray for Don even though he knows the man is dead. Piper miraculously comes back to life and the bliss of heaven is replaced by a long and painful recovery.

Pick up the book and join us in our discussion at the end of the month!

Book Review: The Shack by William P. Young

Review by Tasha

Title:  The Shack

Author: William P. Young

Pages:  272

Publisher: Windblown Media; 1ST edition (July 1, 2008)

ISBN: 0964729245

Age: 16+

Front Cover

The front cover of this book gave me an strange/mysterious feeling.  With the darkness of the sky and a beat-up, abandoned shack, I sorta had the feeling that Jason was going to meet me there. (yikes!) Which made me curious to what story would unfold on the pages within.

Background

This book is a story of a man's struggle (Mackenzie aka Mack) to deal with his past, a horrible tragedy, and his faith and belief in God.  Lured to the shack (by a message received from God) years after dealing with his loss and hardships from his youth, he goes seeking answers to the questions that he has been pondering for many years.  He experiences what is believed to be a divine weekend with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. 

Brief Overview. (Spoiler Alert)

Mack received a note to go to "the shack" (where the Great Sadness occurred).  The kicker is that the note was signed by "Papa" aka God.  In his reluctance (I would have been too) he went to "the shack", not knowing if it was God or someone playing a cruel joke on him. No one is there when he arrives but the painful evidence of what was found there four years ago.  Mack is suddenly overwhelmed with pain and demands God to reveal himself, if it were he who wrote the letter.  Moments later, he falls into a deep sleep (as it seems) and goes on an experience with not only God, but Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as well.

The conversations that Mack has during this weekend with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (I call them "The Big Three") are simply remarkable.  He ask many questions that I am sure that we have all wondered at some point or another like, "Why is there so much struggle and unremarkable pain in the world?"  The responses to his questions and the patience that was shown while he sought understanding was incredible.  Think of it like this: Here you are as a simple human, questioning  asking God (creator of all things) why things are the way that they are and even to some extinct judging and holding God responsible for them.  See my point? Mack finds out that he has indeed done both of these things and by the end of his weekend and experience with "The Big Three", he has a new found love, respect, and trust in God. 

Another area that this book focused was relationships.  Not only between a man and woman, but among friends, family, coworkers, etc.  How our relationships with each other should be caring, loving, and kind no matter the offenses committed. (Hard right?)  To live in the present.  Not the past or future, but the now.  The relationship that was revealed to Mack between them ("The Big Three") was the example of how we should live among each other. Mack found himself amazed at their peaceful coexistence.

My thoughts